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Pahlavi Texts, Part II (SBE18), E.W. West, tr. [1882], at sacred-texts.com
1. As to the eighty-eighth question and reply, that which you ask is thus: When a man resolves within himself thus: 'In the summer 1 time I will go into Pârs, and will give so much money for the high-priesthood, on account of the fires and other matters which are as greatly advantageous,' though he himself does not come into Pârs, but sends the money according to his intention, or in excess of it, unto the high-priests--so that he is like the great who send in excess of that unto the high-priests 2--that, as the benefit is greater which is more maintained, they may provide for the fires of every kind and other matters, is then his proceeding of sending to Pârs, for that purpose, a sin, or not?
2. The reply is this, that if his coming be indispensable for the design he would undertake, then it is indispensable for him to accomplish his own mental undertaking; but in suffering which is excited and not avoidable, when there is really no possibility
of his travelling himself, any one whom he sends in his place, more particularly on that account, is not acceptable by the approval of the angels who have realized the affliction in his good thought, but the good work is to be eagerly well-considered. 3. Good gifts, and every office (gâs) about good works which it is possible to perform, are what are commendable in the well-housed man that is not able to work himself 1; they are avoidable by him when not of good race, and are not indispensable for him whenever the good work is not announced. 4. When able to manage it himself it is better; and when otherwise, his appointment of a faithful person over its preparation, and his accomplishment of the work of selector are expedient.
254:1 Assuming that hâmân stands for hâmînô.
254:2 M14 omits this phrase.
255:1 M14 adds, 'he longs for good giving and good consideration; important and virtuous is he when able to do it;' but the sentence is hardly grammatical.